A tiny, fast-growing New World dwarf tarantula named for the bold orange-and-black pumpkin-like pattern on its abdomen. It is colorful, hardy, and a great introduction to dwarf species despite its speed.
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Dwarf species; leg span about 2.5-3.5 in (6-9 cm). 'Large' and 'small' forms exist, the large form being slightly bigger.
Lifespan
3–10 years
Social needs
solo
Native region
Colombia (tropical lowland regions)
Origin
New World
Climate
🌴 Tropical
Family
Theraphosidae
Genus
Hapalopus
Part of the Tarantulas
Theraphosid spiders kept as low-maintenance display invertebrates. New World species are generally docile with mild venom but bear irritating urticating hairs, while Old World species lack those hairs but tend to be fast, defensive, and have more potent (though rarely life-threatening) venom.
From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.
Photo coming soon
Minimum
Juvenile pumpkin patch
4 × 4 × 4 in (dwarf species)
Pumpkin patch tarantulas (Hapalopus formosus 'Colombia large') are tiny dwarfs (≈ 3-in DLS adult) — small enclosure with 3–4 in damp packed substrate and a cork hide.
Photo coming soon
Recommended
Adult dwarf fossorial
6 × 6 × 6 in with 4–5 in substrate
Even adults stay small — a 6-inch cube with packed damp substrate, a starter burrow under cork, and a small water dish covers their needs. Substrate depth > floor area.
Photo coming soon
Ideal
Naturalistic dwarf bioactive
8 × 8 × 8 in bioactive damp
Bioactive dwarf setup with springtails, leaf litter, and a damp substrate gradient. They web colourful starbursts at the burrow entrance — beautiful display species.
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
Photo coming soon
Egg
These invertebrates lay eggs — often in a guarded clutch, a silk sac (spiders), or a brood (carried by female isopods). The eggs are small and soft and develop without a true larval or pupal transformation.
Photo coming soon
Juvenile
Juveniles hatch as miniature versions of the adult and grow by molting their exoskeleton (or, in snails, by enlarging the shell). They gain size, segments, or leg pairs and gradually take on adult coloration with each molt.
Adult
Adults reach full size and reproductive maturity with the species' mature form and coloration. Many arachnids and myriapods continue to molt as adults, and sexes can differ in size or in specialized appendages.
Color & pattern variants
Natural variants occur in the wild; selectively bred (man-made) variants were developed in captivity.
Natural
representative
Large form (Hapalopus sp. Colombia 'large')
The larger of the two locality forms in the hobby, reaching the upper end of the size range with the same orange-and-black pumpkin-patterned abdomen.
representative
Small form (Hapalopus sp. Colombia 'small')
A noticeably smaller locality form, among the tiniest tarantulas kept, with the characteristic pumpkin-patch markings.
Habitat & enclosure
House one spider alone in a compact terrestrial-to-fossorial enclosure; a 1-2 gallon footprint (roughly 8x8 in / 20x20 cm) suits an adult of this dwarf species. Because it is small and fast, keep enclosure openings minimal and escape-proof. Provide a cork-bark hide, anchor points for webbing, and a shallow water dish. Keep at 72-82F (22-28C) with light humidity: keep most substrate slightly moist or moisten one corner, allowing it to dry between mistings. No UVB or special lighting is required.
Substrate
Use 2-4 in (5-10 cm) of a coco-fiber and topsoil mix that holds light moisture; this species will burrow and web extensively. Keep one area lightly damp while allowing the surface to dry; spot-clean boluses and feces to prevent mold in the small enclosure.
Equipment & setup
No heater is usually needed at normal room temperatures; if required, use a thermostat-controlled side-mounted heat mat, never underneath. No UVB. Provide a small, well-sealed ventilated enclosure (escapes are the biggest risk), a cork-bark hide, webbing anchors, and a shallow water dish. A hygrometer is optional.
Diet
An enthusiastic insectivore. Feed small, appropriately sized feeders such as flightless fruit flies and pinhead crickets for slings, scaling up to small crickets, small dubia roaches, and mealworm pieces for adults. Slings eat 2-3x weekly, juveniles weekly, adults every 1-2 weeks. Remove uneaten prey within 24 hours and withhold food during premolt (darkened abdomen). Always provide clean water.
Behavior & temperament
A bold, very fast New World dwarf species that webs heavily and is often visible. It is skittish and quick to bolt, and will flick urticating hairs when stressed, so it is a display rather than a handling spider. Venom is mild (bee-sting level) and it rarely bites, but its speed makes escapes the main concern. Work slowly and over a contained surface when doing maintenance.
Health
Hardy and forgiving for a dwarf species, with fast growth and frequent molts when young. Main risks are dehydration (keep the water dish full and substrate lightly moist), escapes due to its speed, and falls. Avoid stagnant, soggy substrate, which invites mold and mites. Bald abdomen patches from hair-flicking regrow after molting. Never disturb a molting (upside-down) spider.
Tips, DIY & hacks
Because it is tiny and lightning-fast, do all maintenance inside a bin or over a contained area and keep a catch cup handy. Give it plenty of anchor points and you will enjoy a heavily webbed, colorful display. Avoid handling. Its quick growth and bright pattern make it a rewarding first dwarf tarantula.
